Overview
- Eastern Cape Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta condemned the incident and said the department intends to lay a criminal case against the adults involved.
- Social workers have been dispatched to Engcobo to assess the children’s safety, with possible removal to places of safety if risk is identified.
- Police are reported to be on the ground, and officials indicated arrests could follow as evidence is collected.
- The widely shared footage shows several young children—reported as roughly three to twelve years old—drinking beer under adult supervision on Christmas Day.
- The national department and Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe cited the Children’s Act and warned of serious health and developmental harms, while religious and community leaders urged the public to report those responsible.